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7-Raavan (1)
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Raavan is known to
everybody. Because of him, Vishnu had to incarnate as Raam. He killed him on
the 10th day of bright fortnight of Aashwin month - Dashaharaa. Everybody
knows Raavan was a wicked man and that is why he was called Raakshas,
otherwise he was a son of Braahman father and a Daitya mother. Raavan was not his real name, his father named him Dashagreev since he had
10 heads. He is also known by names - Dashakanth, Dashaanan, and Dashamukh.
He was very intelligent, very learned and a great devotee of Shiv. Several
stories are famous about his Tap.
It is said about him that he chanted Ved by his all 10 mouths together. He
has written "Shiv Taandav Stotra" also which is very famous. He knew that
Raam was Vishnu's Avataar, he also knew that he should be killed by Him
only, but there was no other way to invite Him to Lankaa except to abduct
His wife and then not sending Her back to Him. If he did not do so he could
not have crossed his second life to be born as Shishupaal.
He was the grandson
of Brahmaa's son Pulastya Muni, and the son of Vishravaa Muni and a Raakshas
woman Kaikasee (or Keshinee). He had two brothers - Kumbhakarn and Vibheeshan and one sister Shoorpanakhaa. He had one
step-brother also named Kuber. Meghnaad and Akshaya Kumaar are his
well-known sons.
Who was Raavan?
- This reference comes in Tulasee's Maanas. There were two brothers - Jaya
and Vijaya, who were the guards of Vishnu's palace. Once Sanakaadi Muni came
to visit Vishnu, but they did not recognize Muni, so Muni gave them Shaap -
"You be born in Raakshas Yoni on Earth for three lives." They prayed Vishnu
that when they are born on Prithvi they should be killed by Him only. Vishnu
said , "So be it." Because of that Shaap they were first born as
Hiranyakashyap and
Hiranyaaksh who were killed by Nrasinh and Varaah Avataar
respectively in Sat Yug; then they were born as Raavan and
Kumbhakarn who
were killed by Raam Avataar in Tretaa Yug; and third time they were born as
Shishupaal and Dantavakra who were killed by Krishn Avataar in Dwaapar Yug.
How He Got the Name Raavan? -
After getting Var Raavan became very proud. Once he was coming after winning
some war that he saw a mountain in front of him. In his pride, he did not
know that it was Kailaash Mountain and Shiv and Paarvatee Jee lived on that
mountain. He thought it as the obstacle in his way so he tried to throw it
by lifting it by his both hands. As he lifted it, Shiv and Paarvatee Jee
found the mountain shaking under them. Paarvatee asked Shiv Jee - "Naath,
What happened, why is this Parvat shaking like this?" Shiv Jee said
"Nothing" and slightly pressed it with his front part of the
little toe.
As the mountain settled on the
ground, Raavan's both hands were sandwiched between the mountain and the
ground, and the mountain became heavier than ever. His hands were hurting,
so he started weeping and crying. He cried and prayed Shiv for thousands of years, then Shiv Jee
released his hands and said - "Since you wept (Royaa) for so long, you will
be known as Raavan." and since then he became famous as Raavan and he became
a great devotee of Shiv. Shiv increased his age and gave him a Divine sword
named Chandrahaas. Raavan has composed a poem also in praise of Shiv - "Shiv Taandav
Stotra".
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